Hemostasis is the arrest of bleeding either physiologically, surgically, or mechanically. Many dental procedures require the disturbance of hard and soft tissues which can lead to bleeding. Most bleeding due to these procedures is usually controlled by applying pressure to the site. However, there are times when the bleeding is more substantial or prolonged and other means of achieving hemostasis are required. Other options often include the use of sutures to close the site of the incision or electrocautery to seal the exposed blood vessels. There have also been developments in topical agents that induce hemostasis when applied to the affected area. Such hemostatic materials generally work by enhancing or speeding up the blood clotting process that takes place naturally at the site of the wound. Though these agents cannot be used alone, they may provide an additional route to achieving hemostasis following an oral surgery.